Motor Neurone Disease NZ

🌭 Today’s the day: Bunnings sausage sizzles for MND 🌭

Today (Saturday 06 June), Bunnings stores across Aotearoa are firing up the barbecues for MND Action Month — and we’d love you to drop by and show your support.

🕘 9am–3pm
📍 42 Bunnings stores nationwide
🙌 260+ volunteers on the tongs today

Every sausage sold helps fund support, advocacy, and research for people living with motor neurone disease — and helps bring MND into everyday conversations.

Some stores are also hosting Ice Bucket Challenges, so keep an eye out 👀

💙 A huge thank you to our volunteers and to Bunnings for standing alongside the MND community today.

👉 Find your local sizzle: www.bunnings.co.nz/stores

Let’s make today count — one sausage at a time.

💙Defying the odds and making it to her kids’ first day of school was a major milestone for Loren Hope.

“I was diagnosed [with MND] at 34 years of age. A mother of two toddlers. I was devastated at the prospect of not being with them while they were growing up. I thought I might not even be here for their first day of school.”

👩‍🏫In 2018, two years after her diagnosis she had to give up her own teaching role – her students had been supporting their beloved teacher by writing on the board for her because she couldn’t anymore.

While she has long since defied the average life expectancy of the disease – two to three years from diagnosis – MND is increasingly debilitating her body.

“If you have been recently diagnosed or are dangling your legs over the edge of life like me – remember that you still have value, you still contribute, you still have mana, you still have learning to do.” says Loren.

“We know more than many, that time is precious. Use yours to bring love to the world, in big ways or small ways. It's the greatest gift we can give.”

Loren’s story shows us why taking action this June matters.

🤱Young mums like Loren get diagnosed with MND at 33.

🛬Young Kiwis returning home from an OE like Thomas Cockburn, recently featured in the Otago Daily Times, get diagnosed with MND at 28.

🏉Young athletes like NRL forward Jai Arrow get diagnosed at 30.

No one should face this disease alone – young people, older people, team mates, work mates, family members – MND can affect any one of us.

🪣Tip a bucket or pour a brew to make time count for everyone in Aotearoa living with MND and their whānau this Action Month!

👉 Read Loren’s story: https://mnd.org.nz/news/seeds-of-connection-a-pumpkin-festival-the-natural-world-and-life-with-mnd/

👉Sign up to MND Action Month to support people like Loren: www.mndmonth.org.nz

🍵Pour a Cuppa Tea for MND this June like Michelle and her family! Support 400+ Kiwis living with this fatal disease 💙

Diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2025 aged 56, Michelle Williamson gathered her community for a light-hearted and jovial afternoon of fun which was peppered with many poignant moments.

Michelle’s Cuppa Tea for MND was held in a room filled with friends, family, aroha, handmade items, silent raffle goodies and fine bone China cups -
with her daughter braving an ice bucket challenge outside.

“The fun, the squeals, the poem, the tears and the love that was so evident that afternoon acknowledged that Michelle and her whānau are on a very challenging journey of their own, but they are certainly not alone,” says MND NZ Regional Support Advisor Rachel Woodworth.

Pictured: Michelle's niece and sister at her Cuppa Tea for MND

☕Every cuppa poured makes a difference

🧁Join the Cuppa Tea for MND: mndactionmonth.org.nz
👉 Read Michelle's Cuppa Tea story: mnd.org.nz/news/cups-and-buckets-overflow-with-aroha-to-support-mnd-nz

💙We pay tribute to the former AFL footballer, Australian of the Year and Fight MND founder and campaigner Neale Daniher, who died at the age of 65 on Monday 25 May. Our heartfelt condolences and aroha go to Neale’s family, friends and colleagues on both sides of the Tasman and around the globe.💙

“His wish was simple but powerful - to help create a world where no one has to face this disease. But beyond that he wanted to leave a legacy that says this “No matter the odds, no matter the diagnosis, we all have the power to fight, to smile, and to do. Because the mark of a person isn’t what they say, "it’s what they do”.
We will forever remember him for the lasting impact that he has made on us all. He has inspired, he has loved, he has lived and it would only be fitting to finish with his words - Play On.” – Daniher Family

May you forever play on peacefully, Neale.

Read more about Neale’s legacy: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-25/ex-essendon-afl-player-coach-neale-daniher-dies/104227390

We are sending our thoughts and aroha across the Tasman to NRL and Queensland State of Origin Player Jai Arrow (30) and his family in the wake of his MND diagnosis last week. 💙And to every person across Australasia who is living with MND.

MND Australia CEO Clare Sullivan recently spoke with A Current Affair about Jai’s diagnosis and the challenges of fragmented MND data across Australia.

In New Zealand, Motor Neurone Disease NZ has funded the New Zealand MND Registry since 2017, led by Dr Sarah Buchanan from the Neurology Department at Dunedin Hospital, and the University of Otago. We encourage every person living with MND in New Zealand to sign up. The Registry supports vital research and helps shape the future of care and support services.

The MND Registry, alongside the MND Lab led by Dr Emma Scotter at the Centre for Brain Research, firmly links Kiwi’s with MND to the international effort to discover more effective treatments for this terminal disease.

Clare also reflected on the powerful outpouring of support from the MND community in Australia and beyond. Watch the full interview below ⬇️

Find out more about the New Zealand MND Registry: https://mnd.org.nz/research/mnd-registry/

Jai Arrow’s toughest fight yet | A Current Affair "Nothing is going to take me out easy." That is the heartbreaking but defiant vow from NRL star Jai Arrow, following his shock diagnosis with Motor Neurone D...